Climate change will ‘fundamentally’ change how Canada and its allies manage the Arctic, says NATO chief – National
Melting sea ice and warming temperatures in the Arctic will « fundamentally » alter the security challenges facing Canada and NATO allies in the region as Russia and China forge closer strategic ties deep, warns the head of the military alliance.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from a Canadian Forces Air Base in Cold Lake, Alta., on Friday at a press conference in which the two leaders stressed the need to recognize the rapidly evolving security threats in the High Arctic.
“Climate change is making the Far North more important because the ice is melting and it’s becoming more accessible, both for economic and military activity,” Stoltenberg said.
“It will require us to fundamentally transform our approach to security and defence, and Canada has an unrivaled understanding of this.
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He pointed to Russia’s remilitarization of their Arctic bases and strong interest from China, which claimed it was a « near-Arctic » state, as risks that cannot be ignored as the two countries deepen their ties.
The closer relations between Moscow and Beijing come as the two governments increasingly seek to challenge the international laws and institutions that form the basis of global stability and trade following the fierce international retaliation against the unprovoked invasion. of Ukraine by Russia.
« It’s part of the deep and strategic partnership that challenges our values and interests, » Stoltenberg said. « Our answer is a strong and predictable allied presence in the region. »
Trudeau suggested the past few months have made it clear that Canada cannot take Arctic security for granted, but has repeatedly stressed that the NATO chief’s presence does not represent a shift in Canadian policy. in regional defence.
« The geopolitical situation has changed over the past few months, so understanding that Russia is increasingly on our minds all of us compels us to share with the Secretary General and NATO everything Canada is doing, » he said. -he declares. « There is no profound change in Canadian politics. »
This is not the first time defense and security leaders have issued such warnings.
In March, Canada’s military chief of defense intelligence told a parliamentary committee that Russia and China pose the greatest risk to Canadian and Western interests in the North.
General Michael Wright said that while the risks of a Russian incursion into the Arctic appeared low, the invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24 has « challenged » Russian President Vladimir’s long-standing claims. Putin on the desire for a peaceful zone in the Arctic. .
« As sea ice melts, access to the region and associated tactics are increasing and this will have a significant impact on the security situation in the Arctic, » Wright said.
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Kevin Hamilton, director general of international security policy at Global Affairs Canada, noted at that same committee that « China could indeed seek to take advantage of much of the new infrastructure that the Russians have built in their High -Arctic ».
The government has come under pressure in recent years to spend more on defense as NATO allies increase defense spending in light of the threat posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Defense Minister Anita Anand described the world as growing « darker » and more « chaotic » at an industry event earlier this year.
In June, she said the government would spend some $40 billion over the next 20 years to modernize North American aerospace defense through the NORAD pact, including $4.9 billion to upgrade radars and surveillance systems to detect threats from aircraft and missiles.
However, questions remain about exactly where the money will come from, and sources told Global News earlier this year that there was concern that the money would have to be recapitalized from the existing defense budget.
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